the west is a different world as seen in this story from uganda. while in the states, the homosexual community is fighting for the right to marry, the battle for rights is much different elsewhere…gays are fighting for the right to live!

in the west there is discrimination and minority groups are shortchanged and even abused but when something like this surfaces, we see how very different life is in the west.

i’m surprised there is so little coverage about this when gay marriage rights are usually the lead story on any given night when there is movement.

i wonder if the same crusaders for rights here have the same compassion to fight for rights for others when the stakes are deadly. they haven’t said much from the safety of their own turf yet.

‘Death for gays’ debate in Uganda

Dec 9, 2009 12:14 AM | By Sapa-AP

Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals.

Gay rights activists say the bill, which has prompted growing international opposition, promotes hatred and could set back efforts to combat HIV/Aids. They believe the bill is part of a continent-wide backlash because Africa’s gay community is becoming more vocal.

“It’s a question of visibility,” said David Cato, who became an activist after he was beaten up four times, arrested twice, fired from his teaching job and outed in the press because he is gay.

“When we come out and ask for our rights, they pass laws against us.”

The legislation has drawn global attention from activists across the spectrum of views on gay issues.

The Ugandan legislation in its current form would mandate a death sentence for active homosexuals living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape. “Serial offenders” also could face capital punishment. Anyone convicted of a homosexual act faces life imprisonment.

Uganda is not the only country considering anti-gay laws.

Nigeria, where homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment or death, is considering strengthening penalties for activities deemed to promote it. Burundi just banned same-sex relationships and Rwanda is considering it.

Homophobia is rife even in more tolerant African countries.

In Kenya, homosexuality is illegal but the government has acknowledged its existence by launching sexual orientation survey to improve health care.

In South Africa, the only African nation to recognise gay marriage, gangs carry out so-called “corrective” rapes on lesbians.

A 19-year-old lesbian athlete was gang-raped, tortured and murdered in 2008.